Gain-of-function p53 protein transferred via small extracellular vesicles promotes conversion of fibroblasts to a cancer-associated phenotype

Shaolin Ma, Michael H. McGuire, Lingegowda S. Mangala, Sanghoon Lee, Elaine Stur, Wen Hu, Emine Bayraktar, Alejandro Villar-Prados, Cristina Ivan, Sherry Y. Wu, Akira Yokoi, Santosh K. Dasari, Nicholas B. Jennings, Jinsong Liu, Gabriel Lopez-Berestein, Prahlad Ram, Anil K. Sood

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

32 Scopus citations

Abstract

Tumor and stromal interactions consist of reciprocal signaling through cytokines, growth factors, direct cell-cell interactions, and extracellular vesicles (EVs). Small EVs (≤200 nm) have been considered critical messengers of cellular communication during tumor development. Here, we demonstrate that gain-of-function (GOF) p53 protein can be packaged into small EVs and transferred to fibroblasts. GOF p53 protein is selectively bound by heat shock protein 90 (HSP90), a chaperone protein, and packaged into small EVs. Inhibition of HSP90 activity blocks packaging of GOF, but not wild-type, p53 in small EVs. GOF p53-containing small EVs result in their conversion to cancer-associated fibroblasts. In vivo studies reveal that GOF p53-containing small EVs can enhance tumor growth and promote fibroblast transformation into a cancer-associated phenotype. These findings provide a better understanding of the complex interactions between cancer and stromal cells and may have therapeutic implications.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number108726
JournalCell Reports
Volume34
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 9 2021

Keywords

  • CAFs
  • HSP90
  • Nrf2
  • p53
  • small EVs

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

MD Anderson CCSG core facilities

  • Flow Cytometry and Cellular Imaging Facility
  • High Resolution Electron Microscopy Facility
  • Tissue Biospecimen and Pathology Resource
  • Research Animal Support Facility
  • Advanced Technology Genomics Core
  • Cytogenetics and Cell Authentication Core
  • Small Animal Imaging Facility

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Gain-of-function p53 protein transferred via small extracellular vesicles promotes conversion of fibroblasts to a cancer-associated phenotype'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this